TOWN BOARD END OF YEAR MEETING
December 28, 2005
4:00 pm
Members present: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Patchett and R. Gladu.
Supervisor Belden opened the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
Moment of Silence: Frank Carney & Carol Brown.
The Board reviewed the final Warrant for 2005.
Motion by L. Megow, seconded by R. Patchett to authorize Supervisor to pay Warrant in the amount of $18,567.17. AYES: Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, R. Patchett, R. Gladu and R. Meola. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to accept minutes of 12/13/2005 as printed. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Patchett, seconded by L. Megow that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to make the necessary transfers from line items to balance out any overdrawn accounts at year-end. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Patchett, L. Megow, R. Gladu, and R. Meola. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by L. Megow to authorize Tim Costello or William O’Leary to attend WWTP conference, scheduled for 3/26/06 – 3/31/2006. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Patchett, L. Megow, R. Gladu and R. Meola. Motion carried.
George Farinick has been hired to install the new boiler at the Highway Garage. Supervisor Belden will receive quotes on the installation of a fireproof ceiling at the Highway Garage.
Councilman Meola stated that purchasing should follow our procurement policy. The town’s procedure of purchasing the boiler and then trying to find someone to install it is counterproductive. Most jobbers will not provide installation only, but will want to supply the item to be installed. In this case, the boiler.
Supervisor Belden stressed the need to Superintendent Smith to report any Highway accidents to the Insurance Company in a timely manner.
Councilman Meola reviewed his years on the Town Board, and thanked fellow board members stating that it had been a privilege to have represented the people of Hague. He listed a few of the accomplishments achieved during his tenure including the enactment of the Junk-Law, the agreement with the SBA, the returning of surplus revenues to the taxpayers.
He stated that because of sales tax revenues there is no town tax, even though the 2006 appropriations have increased by 13%. The 2006 town budget includes $300,000 in sales tax revenues to the general fund; $230,000 to the highway budget and $500,000 applied to the town share of the County budget. Without the sale tax revenues, this $1,030,000 would have to be raised by the local taxpayers. The town also receives $172,620 from NYS for snow & ice removal on 50.2 miles of state roads; $6,760 from Warren County for 9.2 miles of county roads; $25,000 from the Silver Bay Association and $40,000 in mortgage tax revenues. Without all of the above revenues the Hague taxpayers tax burden would be onerous.
Councilman Meola as a follow up to the question he raised at the December 13, 2005 meeting asked Supervisor Belden if any of the $800,000 in the checking account earning 1.39% interest had been invested in a higher earning money market account.
Supervisor Belden replied that it has not. There will be a meeting set up with the towns official depository to review the towns accounts.
Councilman Megow and Patchett expressed the sincere thanks to the Board and the people of Hague.
Resolution #69 of 2006
RESOLUTION #69 OF 2005
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Meola, AND SECONDED BY L. Megow
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Hague does hereby support our application for funding to the New York State Department of State Shared Municipal Services Incentive Grant Program for the purchase of television equipment necessary to inspect and insure proper maintenance of our sanitary sewer lines and related underground facilities, and be it further,
RESOLVED, to support the Village of Lake George acting as the Lead Applicant and agree to share equally with all other co applicants in the local share of the project.
We support the need for such equipment to insure proper maintenance that is necessary for the protection of Lake George, we will realize a substantial savings to our taxpayers, and have the ability to do periodic inspections with a minimal of former costs.
We respectfully urge approval of the application on behalf of all participating communities along the lakeshore.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Patchett and R. Gladu.
Motion carried.
Motion by R. Patchett, seconded by L. Megow to adjourn meeting at 5:10 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Happy New Year!
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning
Hague Town Clerk